Bajram Pashaj stepped off the bench to score a show-stopping 73rd minute winner as Staines Town secured a second Skrill South win over Havant & Waterlooville in double-quick time.

The elegant midfielder produced a devastating run and shot from the left side of the penalty area into the bottom corner to make it 16 points from the last 18 for Marcus Gayle's side.

It capped another explosive spell from the 19-year-old who also set up Louie Theophanous with a winner in the last home game, against then leaders Bromley, following an equally penetrating foray into opposition territory.

This triumph follows a 2-0 win against Havant on March 15 and the result pushed Staines up to ninth, just three points off Dover Athletic in fifth, who they visit on April 12 in one of only two more away games in the remaining seven, the other at Boreham Wood.

Interestingly, Dover have to travel to Tonbridge Angels on Thursday April 10, less than 48 hours before a potentially vital collision with Gayle's in-form outfit.

Staines were excellent against Havant, Jerel Ifil having a header tipped onto the post after 15 minutes while Louis -Rae Beadle twice came close - the hosts starting on the front foot and pressing all over the pitch.

Swans’ stopper Jack Turner did make a vital save to deny sub Aristede Basselle, standing firm Schmeichel-like to block with his chest, 20 minutes into the second half.

A goal for Havant then may have given them a lift but Staines grew stronger as the contest wore on, their youthful energy and willingness to attack from all angles paying dividends thanks to Pashaj’s brilliance.

Staines’ win was in no small measure down to the phenomenal defensive display from M’Boungou in particular and the back line in general, Sanchez Ming and Max Worsfold superb on the flanks while Ifil too made vital interceptions. And skipper Lewis Ferrell marshalled his men manfully from just in front of central pair M'Boungou and Ifil.

“It sends a message to the league that Staines are a dangerous team when they are ready and this year we are more equipped to be ready," ventured Gayle.

"The players have matured and men like Louie T, Jerson [Dos Santos] Stephane [Ngamvoulou] and Chris have come in and helped us step up onto another level.

"I'm delighted with the performance and our current form means we feel we are unbeatable.

"The players have taken on board how ruthless we need to be and the seriousness of the situation, not that they weren't serious before, but they are just learning.

"We had a good March and now we are in April with a clearer picture of where we are. We are delighted to be around the top 10 which is where I wanted to be."

The impact Pashaj has made this season has impressed Gayle who added: "If subs can make a difference then you like you're a genius but Baj understands this year he is playing a vital role.

"Sometimes it's a home coming off the bench because he has four goals and nine assists which for a 19-year-old is great.

"We're picking games for him carefully. Sometimes away from home it doesn't suit him, maybe the pitch, or the opposition, or the tactics of the opposition.

"But we know we can get good things out of him. And he's saved us a few times with his deliveries against Whitehawk and Bath in particular.

"The kid's so young he has a lot of time to develop his ability and hopefully we can keep hold of him because imagine the type of player he is going to be in a year's time."

Gayle is looking forward to the Ebbsfleet clash on Saturday and said: "We let ourselves down when we played them away and we made mistakes. We feel we owe them a performance and we want the real Staines to turn up."